Hostile Design

Week 8

Petty, James. 2016. “The London Spikes Controversy: Homelessness, Urban Securitisation and the Question of ‘Hostile Architecture.’International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy 5 (March): 67.

Kincaid st Gate

Kincaid st Gate

This hostile design is surrounding a tree by the Knight Library. Surfaces like this are usually occupiable if they are flat. They are especially welcoming during summer when branches can provide shade and soft winds can blow by to cool people off. But the angled...

Whole Foods Market entry with sign in white letters, awnings, and a trellis for outdoor seating underneath.
Host vs. Hostility

Host vs. Hostility

As mentioned in my last post, architecture can sometimes use metal elements to prevent unhoused people from sleeping or “loitering” around buildings. In James Petty’s commentary on “Hostile Architecture,” he discusses the idea of fortified architecture and ways...

For the Select Few Welcome

For the Select Few Welcome

Building Summary: In the article ‘The London Spikes Controversy: Homelessness, Urban Securitisation and the Question of ‘Hostile Architecture’, Jame Petty writes on how the controversy of June 2014 sparked a major debate about hostile design. In South London,...

Compassionate Design

Compassionate Design

James Petty writes an intriguing article about the design choices that were executed in London. The incident that happened in London had to do with spikes being placed so the unhoused could not linger or sleep outside of luxury apartments. The hostile design causes...

Save Me a Seat?

Save Me a Seat?

Save Me a Seat? Reading Summary  This week’s article discusses how modern exteriors have recently incorporated new techniques to reduce homeless individuals using their property as a place to stay. Businesses have become increasingly private and securitize and...